japan-moh-fall11

HSA 6112: International Health Systems"Japan"Ministry of Health: Marybel ZabelDeputy Ministry of Health: Christine Patton-Mitchell

Japan's population pyramid is forecasting a large geriatric population. (40.55% by 2055)
- This will create financial strain's on Japan's universal health care system.
- Hospitalizations for the elderly are usually extremely long.
- Low number of nursing homes and long term care facilities. Elderly individuals usually live with their families.
  - This stems from the Japanese culture of honoring the elderly where the family takes care of them.
  - The children are usually over 70 years old themselves.
- The percentage of the Japanese elderly living at home with their families is dropping. Hospitals are being used as substitutes for nursing homes

http://www.ipss.go.jp/index-e.asp

http://www.ipss.go.jp/pr-ad/e/eng/04.html

http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/org/pamphlet/dl/pamphlet-about_mhlw.pdf

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http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/org/pamphlet/dl/pamphlet-about_mhlw.pdf

Declining fertility rate is at a record low. (1.37 children per women in 2009)
- The combination of a high elderly population with a low birth rate gives rise to society that resembles a "piggy-back" dependency ratio.
- Measures need to be taken to increase birth rates.
- Population of Japan will be decreasing affecting their economy (lower number of workers).
- Educated women tend to get married and have less children at an older age. (28.3 mean in 2007)
  - In Japan, there is a correlation between late marriage and having less children. Reference

Issue #3

Trends in Death Rates for Leading Causes of Death

http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/database/db-hw/dl/81-1a2en.pdf

http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/database/db-hw/dl/81-1a2en.pdf

Issue #4:

Health issues related to the Earthquake/Tsunami on March 11, 2011.
- Nuclear (radiation) crisis Reference
  - There is a risk of exposure as a result of contamination in food.
  - The radioactive iodine and caesium in concentrations above the Japanese regulatory limits have been detected in some food commodities as a result of food monitoring.
  - Exposure to ionizing doses of radiation can increase the risk of cancer.
  - The risk of thyroid cancer following radiation exposure is higher in children and young adults.
- Water-borne illnesses
- Injured
- Homeless
- Mental Health issues
  - Disasters and their aftermath can have a profound emotional impact on children and may result in long term behavioural disturbances. Children exhibiting signs of stress - including difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, developing new fears, changes in behavior (e.g. clinging, bedwetting), being preoccupied with the crisis - should receive extra time and attention from family members and other caregivers.
- Limited resources (stretched to their limits)

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